Oxford Canal

Oxford Canal

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WATERWAYS LICENCES

Many waterways in England and Wales require a licence to paddle. Check the licence section below to see if this is one. Save money on your licence and secure paddling insurance by joining British Canoeing. Use our easy step RapidJoin process. Open the slider to join.

Welcome to PaddlePoints Waterways. These pages focus on individual bodies of water across the UK. On this page you'll find a map, launches, routes, licensing information, paddle trail downloads, services, and more about one particular river or canal. For the full PaddlePoints with search bar follow this link.

PaddlePoints can be accessed without creating a free account, but registering will allow you to map your own public and private routes on this waterway. You will also be able to comment on others' points, upload images, and create Personal Information Markers to receive updates about new routes and points.

You can use the buttons above to access map information on other waterways. Simply toggle the waterway to display it. If you do, note that the content surrounding the map area will remain the same. Use the green file icon next to the toggle if you want to open another dedicated river or canal page with relevant licensing information.

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Canal Licensing Information

Licence Required?

Yes - included in British Canoeing Membership

License Authority

Canal and River Trust

Meandering through the countryside, the Oxford Canal is a great way of seeing the Oxfordshire countryside. You’ll paddle through pretty little chocolate box villages including Thrupp, Cropredy and Aynhu over the 75 mile stretch of canal with 46 locks.

The canal begins in the very centre of Oxford, treating you to a unique view of this university town as you paddle out towards the outskirts. Follow it for the full 75 miles and you’ll reach the Grand Union Canal where you can paddle on to pretty much anywhere you please.

There is rich wildlife too along this stretch, with a healthy population of the endangered water vole thriving along the canal. The canal also runs through the town of Banbury, a great place to stop off for a picnic or bite to eat!